Digital writer & editor

Hiking in the Highlands: Iceland’s Volcanic Trails

Get off the beaten track and discover Iceland’s otherworldly volcanic landscape on a multi-day hike in the country’s less traveled Highlands region. Choose one of these 3 trekking itineraries and experience everything the storied Volcanic Trails have to offer: lava fields, mountains, and so much more.

The beauty of Iceland stretches beyond Reykjavik and the popular Golden Circle areas that most visitors focus on. And if you are the adventurous and outdoorsy type, then you will love spending a few days hiking the country’s diverse Volcanic Trails. Located in the country’s southern Highlands, this network of trails passes through endless fields of lava, rivers, and moss-covered valleys. The Volcanic Trails will take you to remote spots where few have set foot, so get ready to admire some of Iceland’s most stunning landscapes in true peace and quiet.

In the span of a few days, you’ll climb mountains, dip in hot springs, see mysterious lakes and glaciers, and discover a whole new side of Iceland—one that few get to experience. The trails will take you from Sveinstindur mountain, which on a clear day offers one of the best views in the country, to Landmannalaugar in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, made up of colorful rhyolite mountains. The whole route is a whopping 80-miles and takes 9 days to complete – but it can easily be divided into three shorter itineraries that range from 3-5 days in duration.